Larkspur opts to buy power from Marin Energy Authority

The City Council voted 4-0 on Wednesday with Councilman Dan Hillmer absent to choose the authority's "light green" program rather than opt for competitor Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Mayor Len Rifkind said.

"Choosing (Marin Clean Energy) supports local community programs and projects," Rifkind said in an email Friday. "As a customer of MCE, a portion of the money spent by Larkspur on its electric bills will be redirected to stay in Marin instead of paying PG&E shareholder dividends."

Rifkind also cited the program's ability to help Larkspur reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and the need to set an example so new renewable energy initiatives move forward in California.

The move will cost Larkspur an estimated $1,500 a year more than going with PG&E, City Manager Dan Schwarz said in a report prepared for the meeting.

Earlier this month, the Corte Madera Town Council voted 3-2 to choose the energy authority rather than PG&E for its municipal electricity. Ross opted to switch to Marin Clean Energy — the authority's renewable energy program — last month, a move that will save the town an estimated $88 a year.

Municipal customers were among the first to enroll in Marin Clean Energy when the service launched, but four municipalities — Novato, Corte Madera, Ross and Larkspur — did not join the authority until fall 2011.

In June, Novato decided not to make the switch to Marin Clean Energy for its electrical needs, citing projections that the cost would be $7,800 a year more than PG&E's power, a premium of about 2 percent.

Novato remains a member of authority, along with the county and its 10 other municipalities.

Novato was the second municipality to choose PG&E for its own power after Sausalito, which made the decision when it joined the agency in 2010.

Earlier this month, PG&E spokeswoman Brittany McKannay said the company is "committed to cooperating with local governments as they consider pursuing or developing a (Community Choice Aggregation) program.

"It's always a privilege to provide our customers with clean, affordable and reliable energy, and we look forward to the opportunity to do that for many years to come," McKannay said.